Brake for camera focusing knobs



Nov. 8, 1949 w. CASTEDELLO BRAKE FOR CAMERA FOCUSING KNOBS Filed Nov. 30, 1945 INVENTOR ATTOR Patented Nov. 8, 1949 BRAKE FOR CAMERA FOCUSING KNOBS William Castedello, Stamford, Conn., assignor to The Kalart Company, Inc., Stamford, Conn.

Application November 30, 1945, Serial No. 31,993

4 Claims.

This invention relates to cameras having a casing, a camera bed and a lens support slidably mounted on the camera bed, and more particularly to improvements in the means for securing the lens support on the camera bed.

One object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved brake or locking device by which the lens support can be conveniently and automatically secured in any desired position on the camera bed.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel and improved brake permitting simultaneous operation with one hand of the adjusting means conventionally used for movement of the lens support and of the means for securing the lens support.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel brake which will automatically return into its position securing the lens support on the camera bed when released by the operator after the lens support has been placed in the desired position on the camera bed.

Another object of the invention is a novel brake which comprises comparatively few parts, is simple in design, can be conveniently and inexpensively manufactured, and is reliable in operation.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter and in the appended claims forming part of the application.

According to a now preferred embodiment of the invention one of the focusing knobs conventionally used for operating the adjusting means for the lens support such as a pinion and a rack, is provided with a peripheral toothing which is normally engaged by a correspondingly toothed member, thereby securing the focusing knob and with it the lens support in a desired fixed position relative to the camera bed. There is further provided a release means by which the toothed member can be disengaged from the toothing when and while it is desired to adjust the lens support. This release means is so constructed and positioned that it can be operated while the focusing knob is revolved and with the same hand which is used for revolving the knob.

In the accompanying drawing a now preferred embodiment of the invention is shown by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

Fig. 1 is a fractional plan view of a conventiona camera bed and a lens support in conjunction with a locking and braking means according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational front view of Fig. 1, the

L port and with camera.

a bearing blocks II and 12.

looking and braking means according to the invention being shown partially in section.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view along line 33 of Fig. 2 on an enlarged scale, and I Fig. 4 is a sectional view along line 4--4 of Fig. 1 on an enlarged scale.

Referring now to the figures in detail, Figs. 1 and 2 show fractional views of a conventional camera comprising a camera bed l0 hinged to the camera casing (not shown) and supporting two bearing blocks H and I2 fastened to camera bed ID by screws 54. The camera bed also supports two tracks 50 and 5| fastened thereto by means of posts 52 and screws 53, for slidably guiding and supporting the lens support or carrier l3 on which a lens board I4 is mounted. Lens board [4 supports a lens I 5 and a shutter [6, both being of conventional design. The lens support can be moved relatively to the camera bed by any suitable means. According to Figs. 1 and 2, racks l1 and I8 are provided at the lower side of lens support [3. These racks are engaged by pinions l1 and I8 mounted for rotation with a shaft 1 9 rotatably supported by At both ends or only I9 knurled'focusing knobs are provided by means of which shaft rotated, thereby moving the lens supit lens board l4 relative to the at one end of a shaft 20 and 20' I9 may be be provided to secure or fix the lens support and with it the lens in any desired position relative to the camera bed. The position of the lens relative to the camera bed determines the distance between the lens and a plate or film placed in the camera and hence controls the focus of the lens. The lens support, therefore, must be held accurately in the selected position in order not to disturb the focusing of the lens. As previously explained, one of the main objects of the invention is the provision of a means permitting to secure and arrest automatically the lens support [3 in any desired position on camera bed II].

In general, the brake or locking device according to the invention comprises an internal or external toothing or gearing provided at one of the focusing knobs and a stationary toothed member which is normally urged into engagement with the toothed portion of the focusing knob, thereby securing this knob in any desired angular position, and which can be released from engagement with the focusing knob when and While it is desired to rotate this knob for focusing of the lens.

More specifically, focusing knob 20 is cupshaped and the internal peripheral wall of the focusing knob is provided with a comparatively fine toothing 22. This toothing may be out either directlylintoithe walls of 'thefocusing knob, or, as shown *in the drawingspa separate sleeve 23 having a toothing may be fitted in the focusing knob. However, it should be understood an external peripheral toothing can.alsobe, provided, for instance the knurling of the 'focusing knob may 24 having a toothed portion 25zand.,beingapivotally supported on a pivot .25. .A spring 29 .engaging at one end lever 24 and at the other 'end abutting against a wall of recess 28 urges lever 24 into a position in which the toothed portion 25 thereof is disengaged from .toothing .2 2 .thereby permitting rotation of focusing knob :20.

The-positionof1ever.:24 is further controlledby a member 3!! whichis slidably.mounted.in.a boringlinlan extension of bearing block.l I. Member 30 has a tapered portion 3 l which-extends-into space 2 8 i bearing :block H r and is continuedinto a .pinr32 slidably passed :through anopening .in bearing :block 1| and projecting therefrom. .At theiopposite end of membertfl, there is provided a recess :33 in which is inserted a spring 34 abutting-at:one'endagainst the bottompf recess 33. The other :end a of spring -34 is fastened to a pin.:35.secured'tmbearing block ll. Asit will be apparent,-spring =34 .urges member 30 toward :the left =(in 'the view shown .in Fig. 3).. Longitudinal slots .36 :and 36' iin;member 30 permit such saxial movement of member 30 by the. action of spring 34. Tapered portion 3| -,of member=3tl isso shaped that in the aforementioned le'ft lhand position of sleeve 30 a wide section of the tapered gportion abuts .against {lever :24, thereby (forcing toothed portion 25 of lthis'leverinto engagement'with-the toothing .22 of :the focusing +knob thus securing focusing :knob 120 in a definite angular 'position which inturnfl-xes the :position of lens -support It. :Since the rfocusing-knob.issecured-in its .position :by the engagement 1 of teeth, the rangular position .of the focusing :knob is FDOSl-tlVElY .fixed. By providing fine teeth for the toothing 2-2 -it-is possible'tossecuretheiocusing-knobiaccuratelyin any =desiredtangulargposition.

For the purpose of releasing "the focusingrknob, dogs or pawls 40 and 4ll'sareiprovided. These dogs are rigidly -fastened to :a shaft 4| -rotata-bly:supported:on'bearingblocks*I |:and l2. .DogAlJis positioned opposite :pin 32 of :memebr '30, was :can best be seen in :Figs. 1rand'3. *Dog- 40 :coactswith a' pus'h button 142 which is slidablywinserted in a boringof an extension of'camera-rbed l 0. .The

inner end of 'push button 4.2 rests fiagain-st dog 40 while the :head .of :the :push button :Eis located :at the outside of part "I 0' 'of "the camera in ed. The length of the push buttonrshaftissorselectedsthat theipush button head -protrudes slightly tfromthe camera 'bed when *the component :parts :of "the brake are' in the :position shownain Fig.z3,lthatais in the position in which toothed meniberfifi lengages toothing222. :Push button-=42 is:held':in:iits position within the :camera ibed :by tmeans of .a cover =43 which :may .abetpart of the; leather :covering usually usedtocover zparttofuthezcamena casing. .It. is nf :course also :possible towprovide pther means't'o secure thevpush buttonindts position.

:The position of the push button 42 relative .to

be used. Toothing 2zzcoacts withraIlevter 15 ..ton closely adjacent to focusing knob 20. In this .case-dog .40 and push button 42 may be omitted and shaft 4| "maybe shortened. On the other rhand,sit1is also possible to provide a brake as has 'ibeenfdescribedQinzconjun-ction with focusing knob 20 in focusingknob 20' also.

When itis des'iredto release the brake for r-o- .tation ;of the focusing knobs, the photographer simply depresses one of'the push buttons. The depressed push button then will swing dogs-4D and 40'inacounterclockwise direction (as shown inFig. .3). As a result,dog 40 will force member 30 toward the right (as shownin Fig.3), thereby releasing lever '24 for action byspring 29 which will disengage toothedportionfiZE .of lever .24 from toothing .22. The focusing .-knobs can .now be freely zrotated .until .the depressed push .buttonis released whereupon toothed-portion .25 will automatically reengage toothing 2'2,thereby a ain securing the focusing knobs.- in edefinite angular ,positions.

While the invention .has .been described .in .detail with respect .to .a @certain .now preferred example and .embodimentit will be understood .by

those skilled in the art after .understanding .the invention, variouschanges.andmodifications may be .made without departing from the spirit and scope .of the .invention-=.and .it .is intended .therefore .in the appended claims, to cover .allsuch I changes and modifications.

What is claimed as ,newand.desiredItoLbesecured by. Letters Patentis 1. .Abrakeand. lockingdevice for the lens-support-0f a .cameralhaving.a'bedpn which .the lens support :is .-movable and a -drive means .for the lens support operated by a focusing knob, .said knob tcomprising .a cup-shaped {focusing member having .an .internal peripheral -.toothing,.a supportstructure .fastened to thecamera-bed, a first member pivotally supported on the support structure .having a toothed .portioncapable of engaging said peripheral .toothing, .a second member supported axially movable on-the support vstrucarresting the .focusingiknob :in aadesired angularposition, and a button "member roperatively .6.011-

nected with the second member for .moving the sameinto its zreleasing position, thereby releasing the focusing rknob v for rotation when and while the release button .is actuated, .said buttonsmember being supported onthe came'rabedin a posi tion in which the focusing .knob and the rbutton member arecperabIe'With the :same-hand ofran operator.

2. A brake and locking device for-thelenssupport of acamerahaving 1a .bedon whichthe-lens support is movable and a drive means for the lens support operated by a focusing knob, said knob comprising a cup-shaped focusing member having an internal peripheral toothing, a support structure fastened to the camera bed, a first member pivotally supported on the support structure and having a toothed portion capable of engaging said peripheral toothing, a second member supported axially movable on the sup-, port structure and having a tapered portion, said second member being constructed and positioned to move the first member into engagement with the toothing when engaging the first member at a wide part of the tapered portion and to release the first member when engaging the same at a narrower part of the tapered portion, a spring supported on the support structure and urging the second member into its engagement position, thereby positively arresting the focusing knob in a desired angular position, a rotatable shaft supported on the support structure and extended substantially across the width of the camera bed, a dog fastened substantially at each end of the shaft, one of these dogs being positioned to coact with the second member, and a button member supported on the camera bed opposite to each dog, each of said button members being constructed to cause a movement of the second member into its release position, thereby releasing the focusing knob for rotation when and while one of the release buttons is actuated.

3. A brake and locking device as described in claim 1, wherein the button member is supported in an opening of the camera bed, one end of the button member being positioned to be accessible i from the outside of the camera bed for actuation of the button member from the outside.

4. A brake and locking device for the lens support of a camera having a bed on which the lens support is movable and a drive means for the lens support operated by a focusing knob, said knob comprising a focusing member having a toothing, a support structure fastened to the camera bed, a first member pivotally supported on the support structure and having a pointed portion capable of engaging said toothing, a second member supported axially movably on the support structure and having a tapered portion, said second member being constructed and positioned to move the first member into engagement with the toothing when engaging the first member at a wide part of the tapered portion and to release the first member when engaging the latter at a narrower part of the tapered portion, a spring supported on the support structure and urging the second member into its engaging position, thereby positively arresting the focusing knob in a desired angular position, a pair of dogs each pivotally supported by the camera bed, connecting means operatively connecting the two dogs for transmitting a pivotal movement of one dog to the other, one of the dogs being positioned to coact with the second member, and a button member supported on the camera bed opposite to each dog, each of said button members being constructed to cause a movement of the second member into its release position, thereby releasing the focusing knob for rotation when and while one of the release buttons is actuated.

WILLIAM CASTEDELLO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,274,561 Kroedel Aug. 6, 1918 2,392,071 Terrett et al. Jan. 1, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 8,054 Great Britain of 1889 143,394 Germany Aug. 2'7, 1903 

